Diego Costa and Jordan Henderson involved in tunnel clash at Anfield

Jordan Henderson and Diego Costa almost came to blows in the Anfield tunnel as Liverpool's League Cup semi-final against Chelsea ended in acrimony.

The Liverpool midfielder had to be separated from the Chelsea striker by a member of his club’s backroom staff after the pair squared up following Tuesday’s first leg.

No punches were thrown by Costa or Henderson but they pushed each other and were engaged in a furious argument.

Henderson, who released Raheem Sterling for his equaliser in the 1-1 draw, clashed with Costa towards the end of the game, although what sparked their post-match confrontation is unclear.

Player’s foot

The Chelsea striker was accused of standing on a Liverpool player’s foot and was caught by Martin Skrtel’s elbow in the buildup to Sterling’s goal. Costa and Skrtel were involved in a running battle throughout Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Anfield in the Premier League in November.

The feud between Henderson and Costa adds a subplot to Tuesday's finely poised second leg at Stamford Bridge and another controversial chapter to the rivalry between the clubs. José Mourinho refused to state whether Chelsea were favourites to reach Wembley after the draw at Anfield but Brendan Rodgers claimed to have absolute confidence Liverpool could become the first team to win at Stamford Bridge this season.

Meanwhile, Sterling has said he needed a mid-season break in Jamaica to recuperate from his workload and the criticism that followed his withdrawal from England’s starting lineup against Estonia in October.

The game on Tuesday was Sterling's 36th this season for club and country and he admits the added responsibility has had an impact mentally, in particular after being widely criticised for telling Roy Hodgson he was "a little tired" to start the European Championship qualifier in Estonia.

“I knew I would get loads of stick for being given the break but the manager did say at the start of the season this is what he would do. It was all pre-planned to have a break at some point.

He added: “It was the manager who makes the decisions. If he says take a week off, who am I to say no?

“I think it will help me. I am back now, refreshed and ready to go again.” Guardian Service